Possible lathe motor

[Fnord]

I've been considering picking one up, since I've wanted to <strike>fail horribly at</strike> try making a small lathe for a while now.

Found this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GENERAL-ELECTRI ... 892130?pt=

It's a treadmill motor, but I think I'm correct in assuming there is no built-in speed controller, and I'll either have either make or buy one. But the price is not bad compared to other 1hp models I'm seeing.

If anyone who has more experience than I wants to weigh in on the subject I'd like to hear from you. Oh, and if this is a good deal there are 4 of these available so save one for me

[POLAND_SPUD]

Found this:

It's a treadmill motor, but I think I'm correct in assuming there is no built-in speed controller

can't you get a dc motor?? if all you need is 1hp you should be able to find plenty of them...

10-15$ and you've got a fairly simple PWM circuit

[Gun Freak]

Why would he use a DC motor?

I dropped the idea of building one as soon as I got a drill press lol

Despite my previous stubbornness, when you really consider ever single aspect of building one, it's simply not worth it.

[Fnord]

I know, I already have, and the only reason I am considering it is because I have a good portion of the materials already available. It's not really stubbornness, I just want the practical experience gained from such a task.

But! I'm going to be getting a drill press soon so we'll see how that turns out. I would have had one already but somebody on craig's list backed out on the deal.

[Gun Freak]

Just buy some lathe cutting tools and use the drill press haha
There have been many homemades on YouTube but I don't think I'd use any of the ones that are similar to what I was planning.

[Fnord]

(preface: this is all hypothetical, and I am a lazy SOB)

Ah, I saw your sketchup models of that one, I think. No, what I was thinking of made extensive use of cast aluminum, with the bed being made from heavy oak 4x4s backed with 10gauge stainless wear-plates. I already have all the wood, aluminum and stainless, even some 3/4 threaded rod for the sled to ride on. The only things I don't have that can't be fabbed are the pulleys and motor. And some bearings. I could probably do the chuck too but I was hoping I could buy one... It would probably take several tries to get right and I would spend much time out in the driveway breaking up a giant block of aluminum with a sledgehammer while the neighbors wonder what the hell I was doing. Oh yeah, my neighbors don't know me yet

But I'm just rambling out of boredom, drill press first. Then lathe.

[Gun Freak]

First off, coolstorybro

You could probably make some nice cast parts. But I wouldn't make a chuck. That would be scary as hell.

I'm sure I can help you out a bit with it if you decide to go through with it.

[Gippeto]

Some reading for ya.

http://ukchineseairgunforum.myfreeforum ... 23253.html

[POLAND_SPUD]

Some reading for ya.

http://ukchineseairgunforum.myfreeforum ... 23253.html

HIppetto you need a freaking login to see it

ohh and AFAIK quite a lot of treadmill motors are DC motors.. probably because it's easier to control their speed
[youtube][/youtube]

[Technician1002]

If you use a DC motor use a controller with a feedback loop for speed control.

I prefer brushless motors. A 3 phase PM magnet motor is best. You can scavenge a decent controller from a broken HE washing machine.

Other sources for 3 phase PM motor control abound from beefed up RC controllers to industrial servo motor drivers.

Unfortunately the industrial variety is out of our reach. They have amazing speed and position control.
[youtube][/youtube]

[Gippeto]

Jeez tech! That made me cross eyed!

PS...You drinking already...or did your finger slip? It's a thread on homemade lathes. Takes only a minute to sign up.